The U.S.'s first over-the-counter rapid COVID-19 test kits—Abbott's BinaxNOW Self Test and Ellume's COVID-19 Home Test—are being sold at Walmart, CVS and Walgreens.
Both rapid antigen tests, which are available without a prescription, have been issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The BinaxNOW home test kits were expected to be available at the CVS, Walgreens and Walmart websites and in some stores within the next few days.
Abbott said in a statement on Monday: "Broader nationwide availability is expected in the next two weeks," with "tens of millions" of tests to be manufactured per month.
The Ellume self-tests will initially only be available at CVS stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts from this week. It is expected to be available in "most CVS Pharmacy locations by the end of May," CVS said Monday.
Rapid COVID-19 tests available
BinaxNOW Self Test
The FDA issued an EUA for the BinaxNOW self-test on March 31. Producing results in 15 minutes, the test is described to be simple enough even for those who have never done a self-test.
Abbott stated on March 31: "People will only need to perform a minimally invasive nasal swab (not the deep nasopharyngeal swab) and all materials required to perform the test (swab, test card, and reagent solution) will come in the box.
"With results in just 15 minutes, the BinaxNOW Self Test lets people who test positive immediately isolate so that they do not infect others, rather than waiting days for results from a lab or send-away at-home tests," the company adds.
The test can be used on all those aged 15 and older as well as on children as young as two-years-old when samples are collected by an adult, the company advises.
Ellume COVID-19 Home Test
Ellume's self-test received an EUA from the FDA in mid-December. Also producing results in 15 minutes, the test is suitable for those aged two and older.
The test kit comes with a nasal swab, a dropper, processing fluid and a "Bluetooth connected analyzer" to use with an app on the user's smartphone.
"Utilizing the dedicated App, the user follows step-by-step instructions to perform the test including a self-collected mid-turbinate swab. The sample is analyzed and results are automatically transmitted to the user's smartphone via Bluetooth," Ellume explains.
Where to buy rapid COVID-19 tests over-the-counter
Walmart
The BinaxNOW self-test is available for purchase at the Walmart website and in stores for $19.88.
Customers can access the store locator at the Walmart website to find their nearest Walmart location to purchase the test.
Each kit comes with two tests per box and "is intended for testing twice over three days via nasal swab with at least 36 hours between tests," Walmart advised in a statement on Monday.
The tests will also be available "soon" at Sam's Club venues, Walmart said.
CVS
CVS stores are offering the BinaxNOW self-test for $23.99. The tests were expected to be available at the pharmacy chain's website and at 5,600 CVS Pharmacy locations from the week of April 19, "with additional locations to follow," CVS said Monday.
Customers can locate their nearest CVS venue using the store locator at the pharmacy chain's website.
CVS Pharmacy is the first retailer to offer the Ellume home test kit, which can be purchased for $38.99.
The tests were expected to be available at select CVS locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts from the week of April 19, "with increasing availability on CVS.com and in most CVS Pharmacy locations by the end of May," the company stated on Monday.
Walgreens
Walgreens is offering the BinaxNOW self-test nationwide for $23.99.
In a statement issued on Monday, the pharmacy chain said: "Beginning this week, this test will be available for purchase on Walgreens.com, and later this week, it will be available for purchase in-store, for curbside pick-up, and same day delivery."
Customers can find their nearest Walgreens store using the store locator at the Walgreens website.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
Soo ... Read more
